Salvia viridis
Salvia viridis
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Pl. 374B — Salvia viridis
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IOverview
Overview
Salvia viridis, commonly known as clary sage, is an annual herb native to the Mediterranean and surrounding regions including Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Turkey. This plant thrives in full sun and can tolerate both dry and moist conditions, making it adaptable to various soil types such as light (sandy) and medium textures. Standing at about 0.5 meters tall, clary sage is valued for its edible leaves and seeds, which are often used in culinary applications. Its ornamental qualities also make it a popular choice for gardens and landscapes. One distinctive feature of this plant is its ability to grow in diverse environments, from the coastal regions of the Mediterranean to more inland areas.
Quick answers
What is Salvia viridis?
Salvia viridis, commonly known as clary sage, is an annual herb native to the Mediterranean and surrounding regions including Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Turkey.
What is Salvia viridis used for?
Traditionally used for stress & anxiety, digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Salvia viridis
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Salvia viridis appears in herbal sources around calming and relaxation traditions, often as a tea. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
- Salvia species have a long history in traditional medicine for aiding digestion and alleviating digestive discomfort, often consumed as tea or decoction. Salvia viridis may provide similar support.
The digestive benefits of salvia are thought to be due to its carminative properties, which help reduce gas and bloating; however, the specific compounds in S. viridis have not been fully studied.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Salvia viridis support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Salvia viridis thrives in full sun and prefers well-draining soil that is light or sandy with medium moisture levels. It grows to about 0.5 meters tall and can be propagated through seeds. This annual plant is hardy in temperate regions and is native to countries such as Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, and Turkey. For optimal growth, ensure the soil remains neither too dry nor overly moist, and provide ample sunlight. Harvest leaves and seeds for culinary use.
Light
Full sun
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Life cycle
Annual
Mature size
0.5 m tall
Seasonal calendar
Northern hemisphere · UTC month is September
winterspringsummerautumnwinter
BloomJFMAMJJASOND
For first-time growers
How to grow Salvia viridis for the first time
8steps
Start with Salvia viridis as a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or small plants, a trowel, and a watering can.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost, when temperatures are mild.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5 for best growth.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the garden or start them indoors 4-6 weeks before planting outside.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged, and protect from strong sun.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun exposure and allow soil to dry out between watering sessions.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back after flowering to encourage new growth and prevent the plant from becoming leggy.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy soil, not providing enough sunlight, neglecting to prune, and using too much fertilizer.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesSeed
Edible uses: Condiment
Other uses:Fragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
24 native · 3 introduced
Distribution
24 native · 3 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 24 native· 3 introduced
Europe10 regions
native (9)AlbaniaBulgariaCyprusGreeceItalyPortugalRussiaSpainUkraine
introduced (1)Russia
Asia3 regions
native (3)PalestineTurkeyTurkmenistan
Africa4 regions
native (4)AlgeriaLibyaMoroccoTunisia
Broader regions
native:Yugoslavia, East Aegean Is., Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Transcaucasus, Turkey-in-Europe
introduced:Czechoslovakia
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
XII
About this entry
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- Citation
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